Michael Klaus Schmidt: Oils & Acrylics

A new exhibit featuring multi-media artist, Michael Klaus Schmidt opens at The Village Gallery Sunday, January 20, 2019. His works seek to emulate the perfection found in nature, exploring both the macrocosm and the microcosm. Michael will give a gallery talk at the Meet The Artist Reception, which is free and open to the public, at 1:30 pm on Sunday, January 20. Paintings can be viewed and purchased at The Village Gallery through February 28, 2019.

Michael Klaus Schmidt is an award-winning artist and illustrator. Originally from Germany, but raised in the Chicago area, his work has appeared in shows around the country and internationally, including Chicago, San Francisco, London, Toronto, New Orleans and more. He is a member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild and has taught art to children grades K-8. Currently, Michael is working as a freelance artist and illustrator.

A major influence in his works is the Islamic art of illumination found in some of the most ancient manuscripts of the Quran. The decorative elements in this tradition represent to Michael a kind of visual chant, suggesting mysterious order by means of poetic geometric patterns.

Using a layering technique of acrylic paint, glue, India ink, pencils and oils, Michael creates dynamic pieces of art. "Each work is unique, having its own back-story, mostly expressing the feeling of being pulled in many directions at one time. They are also about curiosity and exploration and striving to reach some level of perfection", states Michael.

He strongly believes that video games and the technology surrounding them, have great potential to be used as interactive pieces of art. Michael's program "Anomalies" allows the user to either randomly or manually generate, adjust and interact with 3 dimensional forms that are both visual and auditory in nature. "I have used 3D software to produce scenes which I then complete with traditional art materials, like paint. It is this interaction between different media and how they might influence one another that compels me to continue producing art through different techniques."

The Village Gallery is a nonprofit art gallery at Pines Village Retirement Communities offering artistic experiences to the community to enhance its appreciation and understanding of various art forms and to give support and recognition to artists. The Gallery is open from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday. All exhibits are free to the artist and public. For more information (219) 465-1591.